Augustus John, O.M., R.A. (1878-1961)

Madame Suggia

Details

Augustus John, O.M., R.A. (1878-1961)
Madame Suggia
signed and dedicated 'To Guilhermina Suggia/from John/in affectionate homage' (lower right)
black chalk
17½ x 11½ in. (44.5 x 29.3 cm.)
Executed circa 1923

Provenance

Given by the artist to the sitter, thence to the present owner's mother circa 1950.

Literature

M. Evans, Portraits by Augustus John, Family, Friends and the Famous, National Museum of Wales Exhibition Catalogue, Cardiff, 1988, p.46.
M. Chamot, D. Farr & M. Butlin, The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture I, Tate Gallery, London, 1964, p.326.

Exhibited

London, Royal Academy, Works by Augustus John, March-June 1954, no.273.

Lot Essay

Guilhermina Suggia (1888-1950), the distinguished Portugese cellist, sat to John from 1920 and for more than seventy sittings which resulted in two portraits. The final life-size version is in the collection of the Tate Gallery, London. Madame Suggia played Bach throughout the sittings and commented that 'In a picture painted like this, a portrait not only of the musician but of her instrument - more of the very spirit of music itself - the sitter must to a great extent share in its creation. John himself is kind enough to call it 'our' picture'.
(see M. Evans, loc. cit.).

A very similar drawing of Madame Suggia is in the collection of the Tate Gallery, London.

More from Modern British Pictures

View All